Monthly Archives: May 2016

Daily Links and Deals – Why Amazon is the king of innovation: Kindle’s clout

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daily_links_1Today, a look at the Kindle’s role in making Amazon the most innovative tech company. Also, how the Chromebook with Android might be an unbeatable combination, a different look at fair use, and stories on how we use information and the internet’s favorite book. In deals, savings on Rosetta Stone software, Micro SD cards and $10 off the Fire for Kids bundle.

Daily Links for Monday, May 23, 2016:

How to find wisdom in the age of information (The Next Web) We hear a lot about information overload. But how well do we incorporate that information into our lives and what’s the relationship between mere information and actual wisdom?

Chromebook + Android apps = Trouble for Windows PCs (ZD Net)  If you haven’t tried a Chromebook, this may sound like hyperbole. Both if you live most of your life online (browsing, cloud storage), you’ll find very few things you can’t do with one. Adding Android apps would make for an unbeatable connection.

What is the Internet’s Favorite Book? (Priceonomics) From the Hunger Games to Harry Potter. everyone has an opinion on their favorite. What’s the collective’s opinion?

Fair Use Needs To Be Protected & All Abusers Need To Be Punished (Torrent Freak) For all the stories we hear about copyright takedowns of material that is genuinely fair use, we forget that there are people out there abusing the process too.

New subscription service Circle Go lets parents manage kids’ devices outside the home (Techcrunch) As our children are getting more and more tech at a younger age, setting limits on tech use outside the home may be really important.

 I salvaged my shattered iPhone with a ‘Band-Aid’ screen cover (Engadget) Well, at least temporarily….

Why Amazon is the king of innovation: Kindle’s clout (ZD Net)  An argument that Amazon is the most innovative tech company around and why.

Deals of the Day:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes The Lost Concerto by Helaine Mario for 99 cents.

In Today’s Deals, get up to 65% off Rosetta Stone Power Pack sets. There are also some deals on several brands of Micro SD cards. For a limited time, you can also get $10 off the Kindle for Kids Bundle.

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is over 70 Jughead comics for 99 cents each. The Romance Daily Find is River Rising by Dorothy Garlock for $2.99.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire for $1.99. The Extra Daily Deal is The Ending Series: The Complete Series by Lindsey Fairleigh, Lindsey Pogue for $2.99.

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes The Book of Strange by Michael Faber for $1.99.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.

Friday Echo: Google Takes on the Amazon Echo

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fire_TVThere were two big Alexa stories this week: An update to the Alexa features on the Fire TVs and news about Google’s new Echo competitor.

New Alexa features coming to the Fire TV

On Tuesday, Amazon announced new Alexa features for the Fire TV boxes and sticks.  integrated voice search across 59 content partners including Hulu, Showtime, Starz, HBO Go and more. According to Amazon, these new features will be automatically rolled out in over-the-air software updates in the coming weeks.

The new abilities include:

  • Launch apps using Alexa–Say “Open HBO Now” or “Launch Hulu” into the Fire TV Voice Remote to instantly open the app
  • Play Amazon Video and Add-On Subscription content from Starz, Showtime, and more using Alexa–Say “Play Interstellar,” or “Watch Veep” and get even easier access to your favorite TV shows and movies
  • Find local movie show times via Alexa–Ask “What movies are playing nearby?” or “Where is The Jungle Book playing?” to find out what movies are playing in theatres near you or specific movie times
  • YouTube 4K Ultra HD–Access YouTube’s full 4K library via the YouTube.com app on Amazon Fire TV when connected to a UHD-compatible TV
  • Search for local businesses and restaurants using Alexa–Ask “What Mexican restaurants are nearby?” to find restaurants around you or ask “What time does the nearest bank close?” to get convenient information on businesses nearby
  • Access Kindle e-books via Alexa–Say “Read The Nightingale” to listen to text-to-speech enabled books from your Kindle library through Amazon Fire TV

Some of the features (the local businesses info and the ability to read Kindle ebooks via the Fire TV)  were already available in last month’s update. Note that these features and the upcoming ones are only available on the latest generation Fire TV boxes and sticks running at least OS 5.

Alexa works a bit differently on the Fire TV than she does on the Amazon Echo or the Amazon Tap. You can find more help on using Alexa on your Fire TV here.

Google takes on the Amazon Echo

Last week we heard the news that Google was going to release a competitor to the Echo code-named “Chirp”. This week, we heard that the device is going to be called Google Home. There’s been a lot of talk about the name (yeah, lame) and how it looks (yeah, it does kind of look like an air freshener) and how it is designed to compete with the Amazon Echo. The Home will do many of the same things as the Echo, such as answering questions, providing the weather forecast, etc. Unlike the Echo, the Home uses the Cast standard and can broadcast to other speakers and your Chromecast. And, you can customize the colors. There are two areas where it doesn’t have some of the features Alexa has: Home will not have multi-account support, at least at the beginning. The Amazon Echo and Amazon Tap both have support for Household Accounts. Also unlike the Amazon Echo’s Skills , Google has not make Home’s API public yet, meaning that there won’t be any third-party applications, at least not for a while.

There’s no date announced for the Home yet. If you are interested, you can sign up at Home.Google.com and you’ll be notified when the device becomes available.

Skills

Alexa already has some abilities that you can customize. One of these is the custom news update called a Flash Briefing. Using the Alexa App, you can customize the sources from which  Alexa draws the news. This section is continuing to expand and you can choose from detailed news sources, headlines only and sports news. That way, you get just the amount of news you are looking for.

The Flash Briefing is a standard feature on the Amazon Echo and Amazon Tap. But what if you want something else. That where Skills come in. Skills are developed for Alexa by third parties which you can install add specific abilities to your Alexa. You can install a Skill via your Alexa app.  When you want to use it, you simply tell Alexa to ope it, then tell her what to do.

Since my husband is a musician, we installed a Skill called Metronome. We say “Open, Metronome” and Alexa asks how many beats per minute we want her to play. While most people wouldn’t need a metronome skill on their Echo, for us, it definitely has a place. 🙂 Each Skill also has its own specific help section.

There are already a large number of Skills available. They run the gamut from Buddha Quotes to children’s apps. New skills are constantly being developed for the system. You can also write reviews for the the Skills you use.

Need more info or help with Skills. You can find help here.

Just for Fun:

Jeff Bezos has admitted to being heavily influenced by Star Trek.  If you are a fan of the franchise as well, say one of the following to Alexa: “Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.” or “Coffee, Black.”

Need more help with Alexa on your Echo? Here’s the help page.

Daily Links and Deals -Through The Looking Glass: How Children’s Books Have Grown Up

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daily_links_1Today, there’s a thoughtful piece on children’s books have changed over the years. Also, disturbing news about which stakeholders are given preference in DMCA hearings,another library starts loaning ties and more. In deals, a Garmin watch, 50% off Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements 14. And it’s last call for that $40 Roku stick!

Daily Links for Thursday, May 19, 2016:

Through The Looking Glass: How Children’s Books Have Grown Up (NPR) Our attitudes about children’s books have definitely changed over the years.

Sharp Dressed, Well Read: This Philly Library Lets Job Hunters Borrow Ties (Takepart) Taking a cure from another library, necktie loans are now a thing in this Philly library.

Copyright holders dominate closed door DMCA hearing (Torrent Freak) When corporate interests get a seat at the table and the rest of us don’t, how exactly does this serve the public interest?

This app lets rescue workers send offline alerts when disaster strikes (The Verge) In an emergency, phone lines (landlines and cell phones) go down. This mesh network aims to fill an need for emergency workers.

Google’s Family Library will let Android users share apps (Engadget) It is so nice to see digital family libraries really become more of a norm. We share physical things in a family, why not the digital goods?

Deals of the Day:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes the Nebula award winning After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall by Nancy Kress (Author) for $1.99

In Today’s Deals, get Up to 27% off the Garmin Forerunner 920XT Multisport GPS Watch and 50% offAdobe Photoshop Elements & Premiere Elements 14. You can also still find the $40 Roku stick and the Fire HD 6 Kids Edition Tablet, 6″ HD Display, Wi-Fi, 16 GB with Kid-Proof Case.

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is Where All the Dead Lie (Taylor Jackson Series #7) by J. T. Ellison for $1.99. The Romance Daily Find is The Making of a Gentleman by Shana Galen for $1.99.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is The Headmaster’s Wife by Thomas Christopher Greene for $1.99. The Extra Daily Deal is Bury the Hatchet: Tulsa Thunderbirds (Book 1) by Catherine Gayle for 99 cents/

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes The Ghost Fields by Elly Griffiths for $2.99.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.

Daily Links and Deals: 5 ways to search Gmail that everyone should know about

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daily_links_1Today, tips for searching through those crowded Gmail folders. Also, a new Netflix speed test, info on the iTunes music deletion issue and a new, library-connected digital book club from Overdrive. In deals, a bargain on the Kindle HD 6 for Kids tablet and a Roku streaming stick for $4.

Daily Links for Wednesday, May 18, 2016:

E-books: a twist in the tale (The Bookseller) Who’s on top? One day it’s ebooks, one day it’s print. One thing becomes clear: it’s just not as predictable as everybody thought.

New version of iTunes addresses the music deletion issue (Techcrunch) Well, sort of…. Is it a bug? User error? Apple engineers are somewhat stumped.

Netflix just launched the simplest internet speed test ever (The Next Web) A new free speed test tool to see if you are really getting those speeds you’ve been promised.

5 ways to search Gmail that everyone should know about (PC World) For some reason, the  Gmail folders seem to fill up really fast. This will make it easier to find what you are looking for.

Digital Book Clubs — the next chapter in the evolution of Book Clubs (No Shelf Required) I’d missed this one from a few days ago.Have you ever tried a digital book club? What did you think, pro or con? I’ve had mixed experiences.

Deals of the Day:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes Sara’s Song by Fern Michaels for 99 cents.

In Today’s Deals, today theres not too much focus on tech; we’ve got deals on  Crocs, hammocks , Tumi bags and a food storage set. 🙂 You can also still find the $40 Roku stick and the Fire HD 6 Kids Edition Tablet, 6″ HD Display, Wi-Fi, 16 GB with Kid-Proof Case.

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is Front Lines by Michael Grant for $1.99. The Romance Daily Find is Serving Trouble: A Second Shot Novel by Sara Jane Stone for 99 cents.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is Life After Life A Novel by Kate Atkinson for $2.99.

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes The Bone Orchard by Paul Doiron for $2.99.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.

Daily Links and Deals: Petition to activate smartphone FM radios gains steam

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daily_links_1Today, news that carriers are agreeing to turn on the FM radio switch that is probably already in your smartphone. Also, news on Chinese instruments for GarageBand, Firefox extensions, good news from Twitter and a post about  Goodreads’ new deals newsletter. In deals, savings on TP-LINK networking products and a bargain on the Kindle HD 6 for Kids tablet (and why you should buy the 16GB version!).

Daily Links for Tuesday, May 17, 2016:

Apple’s GarageBand picks up traditional Chinese sounds and instruments in new update (Techcrunch) I can’t wait to try this on my iPad! This allows for a new level of musical creativity.

Twitter will reportedly stop counting photos and links in 140-character limit (The Verge) This, if true, is great news. Being able to have more characters, plus a link or a photo will add to the usability of Twitter.

Digital Assistants Get Women’s Names—Unless They’re ‘Lawyers’ (Motherboard) Um, this is really disturbing. “Subservient”? Really?

15 useful extensions to improve Firefox (CNET) If you are a Firefox user, these are all useful extensions.

This nifty earpiece will translate your conversations in real-time (The Next Web) If you are a fan of Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to  the Galaxy, you may find this somewhat familiar…

Petition to activate smartphone FM radios gains steam as carriers agree to flip the switch (9 to 5 Google) Finally! This is great news. If your phone is capable of this, why not be able to use it? After all, OTA radio is not quite dead yet.

Goodreads Deals: A New Way to Promote Your Ebooks to Millions of Goodreads Members (U.S. Market) (Goodreads) Goodreads is now offering their own bargain books newsletter.

Deals of the Day:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes The 5 A.M. Miracle: Dominate Your Day Before Breakfast by Jeff Sanders for $1.99.

In Today’s Deals,  up to 40% off select TP-LINK networking products and the Fire HD 6 Kids Edition Tablet, 6″ HD Display, Wi-Fi, 16 GB with Kid-Proof Case. Note that you can get the 8GB version for $100. The 16GB is $20 more, but I have read too many comments from parents who said the kids ran out of room on the 8GB version. The 16GB is the better buy!

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix for $2.99. The Romance Daily Find is Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell for $1.99.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell for $1.99.  The Extra Daily Deal is Katerina Carter Color of Money Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1-3 by Colleen Cross for $4.99.

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes None of Your Business by Valerie Block for 99 cents.

Google has a Bad Boys of Romance promotion.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.

Daily Links and Deals: Tape recording was introduced 70 years ago today

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daily_links_1Today marks the 70th anniversary of tape recording, the antecedent of the state of media today. Also, a look at IVR systems and why we hate “pressing 1 for customer service”, a how-to for erasing hard drives,  the demise of flash on Chrome (mostly) and more. In deals, a rechargeable battery charger kit and a Roku streaming stick for $40.

Daily Links for Monday, May 16, 2016:

How to really erase any drive — even SSDs — in 2016 (ZDNet) How to wipe a computer before disposal has always been an issue. In today’s world where we do everything from shopping to banking online, correctly erasing your data from your hard drive is even more important than ever.

Tape recording was introduced 70 years ago today (Recode) Do you think Bing Crosby when you think about tape recording? You should. This fascinating article about the invention of tape recording  explains the the history of the medium that really kicked off the revolution in home entertainment.

6 ways to put an end to the ‘press 1 for…’ customer experience (The Next Web) If, like me, you consider IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems part of the bane of modern existence, you may find this interesting.

Google to block Flash by default on most sites for Chrome users (ComputerWorld) Google means it this time: Goodbye Flash! Well…, mostly anyway.

Over-the-Air Antennas Are Making a Comeback (Motherboard) While these are not your grandmother’s rabbit ears, a surprising number of people are opting for cord cutting via over-the-air broadcasts.

Deals of the Day:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes Supersurvivors: The Surprising Link Between Suffering and Success by David B. Feldman and Lee Daniel Kravetz for

In Today’s Deals, Panasonic Eneloop Power Pack for 10AA, 4AAA Colored Cells Advanced Battery Charger and $10 off the Roku Streaming Stick (3600R).

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is Love, Honor, and Betray (Reverend Curtis Black Series #8) by Kimberla Lawson Roby for $2.99. The Romance Daily Find is Hush by Karen Robards for $1.99.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is Evidence Series Box Set Volume 1: Books 1-3 by Rachel Grant for 99 cents.

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore for $$1.99.

Google Books has a Limited-Time Deals promotion.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.

Daily Links and Deals: How Are Digital Devices Changing the Way We Think?

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daily_links_1Today, a new look at the digital versus print reading comprehension debate which suggest what we are reading may be as important a factors as what what we read on. Also, increased WiFi hotspots may be on the horizon for Germany, locking in your Windows 10 upgrade and sharing a free audiobook via Audible. In ebook deals, a Paris Getaway sale and a great price on Desert Rising by Kelley Grant.

Daily Links for Sunday, May 15, 2016:

A Rule Change In Germany May Allow For Widespread Free WiFi (Gizmodo) A loosening of restrictions may make it easier to find an internet cafe in Germany.

How Are Digital Devices Changing the Way We Think? (Psychology Today) A study suggests that reading comprehension differences between digital and print may not be as black and white as previously thought.

Audible to let audiobook owners share one book free of charge as introduction to share mechanism (Talking New Media) I missed this story a few days ago. Give a copy of any Audible book in your library to a friend (or your book club). Great way to get others hooked on audiobooks.

How to lock in your free Windows 10 upgrade and keep using your old Windows version (ZDNet) You can reserve your free copy, even if you are not ready to upgrade yet.

Deals of the Day:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes Desert Rising by Kelley Grant for 99 cents. (I ♥ this series! If you like fantasy and cats, I think you will enjoy this!)

In Today’s Deals, you can find an AmazonBasics Fade-Resistant Cotton 6-Piece Towel Set or save up to 40% on Sawyer Outdoor Products.

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is a City of Lights sale! Choose from 15 tiles at up to 80% off during the Paris Getaway Sale! The Romance Daily Find is Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick for $1.99.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is The Liar by Nora Roberts for $1.99. The Extra Daily Deal is Adam by James Bushill for 99 cents.

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes The Beach House by Jane Green for $1.99.

Google Books is having a Historical Fiction Sale.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.

Daily Links and Deals: GPS devices reveal what the U.S. is really doing with its toxic e-waste

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daily_links_1Today, a worrisome  look at what is happening with all that old tech gear. Also, Apple admits its deleting your music, another piece on the smell of old books and a a look at the rise of digitally board games. In Deals,  bluthooth headphones, cable and up to 80% off 16 must-read best selling ebooks.

Daily Links for Saturday, May 14, 2016:

GPS devices reveal what the U.S. is really doing with its toxic e-waste (Mashable) How good of a job is the US doing with all that e-wast from tablets and e-readers. Not so well, according to this report.

High-tech cardboard: The rise of digitally augmented board games (Ars Technica) In a world where everything seems to be going high tech, what about old fashioned board games?

Apple confirms iTunes music deletion issue, has no idea what’s causing it (The Next Web) Apple admits that theres a big bug in its music software that’s deleting customers music.

The sweet, sexy smell of old books is a perfume fad (Quartz) Another look at one of the most common complaints about e-readers: They don’t smell like books.

Deals of the Day:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes up to 80% off 16 must-read best sellers including books by Veronica Roth, C.S. Lewis and more.

In Today’s Deals, there are Omaker 3 Pack Optimum Combination 3.5mm Male to Male Stereo Audio Cable Cords and a set of Bluedio R Plus Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Micro SD Card Slot.

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner for $1.99. The Romance Daily Find is Betting on Hope  for $1.99.by Debra Clopton

Kobo’s Daily Deal is Desert Heat by J. A. Jance Joanna Brady Mysteries (Book 1) for $1.99. The Extra Daily Deal is The Rookery Rogues (Volume 1) by Erica Monroe for $4.99.

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes An Eye for an Eye: A Dewey Andreas novel by Ben Coes for $2.99.

Google is featuring a Bad Boys of Romance promotion.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.

Daily Links and Deals: A Better Way to Read

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daily_links_1Today, A look at how digital reading can offer advantages that print can’t, offering a better way to read. There’s also a look at literary translation, online security and future broadcast television standards. In deals, there ‘s savings on PNY Attache Flash drives.

Daily Links for Friday, May 13, 2016:

Google to bring ‘Gboard’ features to Android (PC World) You can search and add GIFs from the keyboard, right where you need it.

Spurn the Translator at Your Own Peril (The Millions) If you read many books in translation, you know that a translator can make or break a book. This is an article about translators, written by a translator.

Online security is so lousy that most “hacking” doesn’t require actual hacking (Quartz) So, where else did you use that password?

ATSC 3.0: What you need to know about the future of broadcast television (CNET) What’s ATSC 3.0? Just the next generation of over-the-air TV. Even if you don’t get your TV with an antenna, it’s going to affect you.

A Better Way to Read (The Atlantic) Critics of e-reading argue that print is better than digital. This article makes the case that digital can be better than print, especially in terms of groups that struggle with reading comprehension.

Deals of the Day:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes Dead Spots (Scarlett Bernard Book 1) from Mellissa F. Olson’s Old World Series of urban fantasies.  All three of the Scarlett Bernard books are just $1.99 each. (I ♥ these!)

Today’s Deals feature savings on PNY Attache Flash Drives.

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is Armageddon’s Children (Genesis of Shannara Series #1) by Terry Brooks for $1.99. The Romance Daily Find is Wicked as They Come by Delilah S. Dawson for $1.99.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is The Murder Room by P. D. James for $1.99. The Extra Daily Deal is Duke of Thorns – Heiress Games (Book 1) by Sara Ramsey for 99 cents.

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes All This Belongs to Me by Ad Hudler for $1.99.

Google has a selection of Limited-Time Deals.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.

The Friday Echo: Alexa Can Now Track Your Amazon Packages!

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echoI recently bought both the Amazon Echo and the Amazon Tap. We’ve actually been having a lot of fun with them around here. 🙂 I will be writing reviews on the products over the next few weeks (I’ve had the Tap longer and wanted to be able to fairly compare it with the Echo before I reviewed.)

One of the things I have discovered is that there is a bit of a learning curve to using Alexa. Not for her, but for the humans trying to learn to use her. Alexa is all about phraseology and keywords, I have found. (It is a bit different than Siri or OK, Google (Google Now) because Alexa does different things.) So, I am currently working on learning how to work with both the Echo and the Tap. As I learn what the two can do, I will be sharing news articles, tips and so on in a new column, The Friday Echo. Bet you can’t guess what day it will be posted on! 🙂

Alexa Can Now Track Your Amazon Packages! (Love My Echo) This is an incredibly nifty new feature for Alexa. She can now tell you when your next Amazon package will arrive. She only seems to be able to handle one package at a time, so I wouldn’t be giving here order numbers just yet, but this is a promising integration with Amazon’s system that personally, I would like to see more of.

This battery makes the Amazon Echo portable (The Verge) Okay. So a company made a battery stand for the Echo so that you can then move it around the house. That’s like basically turning it into an Amazon Tap without the button right? Well, not exactly. The Echo can only connect your home network. The Tap is designed to connect to other networks and hotspots.  While I can see the allure of moving Alexa around the house (sometimes I want her in the kitchen), this is a unusual solution, especially as Amazon already solved the problem with the Tap. Note that the Verge’s article employs humor and a hint of sarcasm.

Report: Google has an Amazon Echo competitor coming named ‘Chirp’ (The Next Web) The Echo has proved to be pretty popular and Amazon has sold out of them several times. Now Google wants one, too. It’s not clear if that desire to create a home device comes from is the number of Echo and Tap units sold or the data that is being collected from the device’s use. But seriously, “Chirp”? It needs a better name than that to compete with the likes of Alexa, Siri and Cortana. Okay, Google?

One year after Alexa: Amazon’s Echo has found a small but smart niche (Ars Technica) This article is an interesting case study in what it is like to like to use the Amazon Echo and Alexa. I found the pros and cons pretty much consistent with my experience of using the Echo and the Tap. And check out the video! It gives you a nice real world run through of the Echo’s features, although it doesn’t give you Alexa’s “I wasn’t able to understand the question I heard” response.

Echo Guides: There are quite a few guides written for the Amazon Echo. Not surprisingly, many of the guides written for the devices are available in Kindle Unlimited. I have started reading through them so I can make some recommendations for good basic beginner’s guides. Stay tuned.

Just for Fun: Ask Alexa what zodiac sign she is.